Adirondack Sports September 2023

HIKING
SEPTEMBER 2023 7
Buck
■ THE VIEW NORTH FROM
BUCK MOUNTAIN’S SUMMIT.
Mountain
Overlooking Lake George
By Rich Macha
■ STARTING OUT ON A
SPRING HIKE UP BUCK
MOUNTAIN FROM HOGTOWN.
PHOTOS BY RICH MACHA
The 2,334-foot summit of Buck
Mountain is one of the most popular
hiking destinations in the
southeastern Adirondacks. On a clear day,
hikers can see the High Peaks 40 miles
away, as well as many other Adirondack
peaks, both low and lofty, that may be
familiar to hikers.
The mountain can be hiked via a
shorter and less demanding trail from
the northeast or a longer more challenging
trail from the southwest.
From the Southwest – The 3.3-mile
trail from Pilot Knob is the most-traveled
route up the mountain despite
being the longer option. The trailhead
is located on Pilot Knob Road (County
Route 38), 3.4 miles north of NY Route
9L – the large parking area on the right
side of the road can accommodate 50
vehicles. Attesting to the popularity
of the area, at mid-afternoon on the
Sunday of Labor Day weekend three
years ago, I counted 50 cars in the parking
lot and over 60 more parked alongside
the road! To avoid crowds, it is best
to visit on weekdays or, at least, get an
early start on nice weekends.
The trail starts out relatively flat on an
old woods road where some mud may be
encountered, then at 0.2 miles, bears left at
a junction. The climb is gentle at first and
Butternut Brook is crossed by hopping
across on some rocks. Your route makes a
left turn at the 1.2-mile mark (the sign says
you have 1.8 miles to go but it may be more)
– the trail straight ahead leads to Inman
Pond and the Lower Hogtown trailhead.
The trail up the mountain remains wide. It
is smooth at times and full of loose rocks
at other times. A couple of small waterfalls
can be seen to the left. The climbing
becomes a bit steeper for a while and then
a lot steeper after the 2.2-mile mark.
At three miles, the trail emerges out
onto a large open rock outcrop with wonderful
views of the southern end of Lake
George and of Crossett Pond – the latter is
on private land so it is a bonus to be able
to admire it from above. Blueberries can be
found here and around the summit area in
mid-summer. This is an excellent spot for a
rest before making the final push to the top.
The junction with the trail from
Hogtown is reached in a rocky area a little
See HIKING 9 ▶